Delfin applies for first US floating LNG port

Delfin LNG has applied to the US Maritime Administration (MarAd) and the US Coast Guard (USCG) to approve what will be the first US deepwater floating LNG port.

The proposed Port Delfin, about 80 km (50 miles) off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico, is seeking approval to export about 9.2 million tonnes of LNG per year, according to the company’s application, filed on 11 May. Export capacity could expand to 13 million tonnes depending on market conditions.

Delfin proposes to build an onshore compressor station and use existing pipelines in the Gulf to transport natural gas to four moored floating liquefied natural gas vessels (FLNGVs).

The company signed a joint development agreement with Hoegh LNG in February to supply the project’s FLNGVs.

Delfin noted that the project could be suspended if MarAd and the USCG decide during their 26-day review that more information about the project is necessary.

Delfin founder Frederick Jones said, “As the first floating liquefaction project in North America, Port Delfin will be a significant development in the world’s evolving natural gas markets and an historic milestone for the US oil and gas industry.”